BearSox

Adding Rolen and Halladay would easily make us favorites in the central. Move Slayer to 2B, we got the return of Q. Look at that lineup: 1. Pods, CF 2. Ramirez, SS 3. Dye, RF 4. Thome, DH 5. Konerko, 1B 6. Rolen, 3B 7. Quentin, LF 8. Pierzynski, C 9. Beckham, 2B Plus, we'd have one of Halladay, Buehrle, Danks, Floyd, or Contreras on the mound. Awesomeness.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jul 7, 2009 -> 09:55 AM) Supposedly, a friend who works with the organization and has heard the rumblings around the office says the Blue Jays have demanded Gordon Beckham in any Roy Halladay deal, to which Kenny Williams pretty much gave a middle-finger. This guy's pretty close to the action, so unless the Blue Jays are willing to lower their price, you can forget about it. I think one of these would be a good reaction to them wanting Beckham:

watched return of the jedi over the weekend on spike... I think it's stupid how they edited the ending to have Hayden Christiensen appear as Anikan Skywalker. If Luke Skywalker saw that guy, he would have been like "WTF? Who's this dude? He's younger than me!" Also, why does Darth Vader revert to his young self, while Yoda and Obi-Wan are still their old selves? However, I guess you can say Anikan Skywalker died a long time ago and when Luke made Darth Vader find the light side again, he freed Anikan, or something like that.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Jul 6, 2009 -> 09:53 PM) There is absolutely no way that we do not have MASSIVE wait times. There's too much of a shortage CURRENTLY - let alone when we "flood the system" (right) with all these new people (which they admit ALREADY that they can't get insured until past 2012 anyway!!!!). So why are they doing this again? To get uninsured people on the insurance plans? Riiiiiiiiiiight. Oh, to control costs? Yea, because they've done SO well on Medicare. The only way they get costs in line to Medicare (again, they admit this) is to cut the s*** out of the services offered. But it doesn't matter, they're all old and going to die anyway, so f*** 'em, who needs 'em? Grandparents are overrated.

The Cubs would be wise to build a new stadium, maybe out in the suburbs. They would probably be able to draw in a lot more money with parking, and make the stadium overall less of a s*** hole. Plus, they won't have to worry about the stadium collapsing and killing thousands of people.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 6, 2009 -> 09:39 PM) So his wife is in the AL Central?

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jul 6, 2009 -> 11:29 AM) I still think we took the better route with Gordon Beckham. You can find power hitting 1B a lot more easily than a .300 hitting middle infielder. I love Gordon, but switch hitting, 40+ home run power, 100+ rbi ability, 900 OPS ability, and potential GG 1B don't grow on trees either. Smoak is a damn good hitter. However, Gordon plays a more premier position, and I'm hoping he has the intangibles to be almost like a Dereck Jeter type. Team leader, clutch, the whole "it" factor, etc.

Huddy - 5 innings, 7 K, 0 BB, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER Like to see him cut down on the pitches per inning a bit, but overall, a really solid start. He's now at 107 K's and 21 BB's in 90.1 IP, with an ERA at I believe 2.80 right now. He's had a really fantastic first half+ to his season. If he keeps this up, I think he could make it into top 50 MLB prospect lists.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jul 6, 2009 -> 09:13 PM) Corey Hart absolutely sucks this year. They would be better off with Guillen in ATL. One scout said he has never seen a player as consistently "lost" as Corey this season, although his overall offensive numbers aren't atrocious, they've been far from consistent, like Konerko this season. His 2008 year wasn't much better. I think most people remember his 2007 year, and keep hoping that and some more come back after he matures/adjusts. His value is definitely low right now, but if a team like the Braves are interested, they definitely think he could revert back to that 2007 year, at least. But I think they'd expect quite the package in return for Javy. One guy I wouldn't mind buying low on from the Brewers is J.J. Hardy in the offseason. He's had a tough season, and the Brewers definitely want to make room for Escobar at SS.

What I'm hoping for is kind of a platoon at C and 1B/DH like the Indians do with Shoppach and Martinez. Martinez still gets a decent amount of time behind the plate, but he gets most of his time at 1B/DH now. Obviously, this is depends on both Flowers and Phegley panning out.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jul 6, 2009 -> 09:03 PM) Looks like Viciedo is hitting an early "wall" like Ramirez did late in 2008. Retherford has really tailed off, too. Taking out Beckham and Allen changes the composition and potency of that line-up dramatically, even though it's still a REALLY strong one. Much longer, grinding season...of course, the weather in the SL is pretty comparable to Cuba, but playing 140+ games is with top quality pitching every day is an adjustment. He was almost at a 700 OPS and has fallen off a bit in the last couple of weeks, but he still manages to produce a ton of RBI's. Gartrell might become a prospect after this season is over, although he's a little old at 25...but certainly much younger than Cook. I wouldn't mind selling high on Gartrell. He seems decent, but I don't think he'll ever become anything more than a platoon OF.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 6, 2009 -> 06:22 PM) Supposedly Brewers would have parted with C. Hart for Vazquez. I really don't think Braves should be sellers though, as they have a chance to be something when they get healthy . Is Corey Hart suppossed to be a good package? I'll take Flowers, Gilmore, etc. over Hart anyday. Hart is solid, a 20-20 player, but I haven't been wowed by him at all. The only way that would make sense for the Braves is if the Brewers took on the whole contract, as Hart isn't expensive, is he? And he'd be a definite upgrade over Francoeur. But the guy I think Atlanta should be trying to sell high on is Escobar, IMO. I used to like him, but he has soured on me over the past year plus. I agree they should hang onto to Vazquez. If they had some offense, Vazquez could be a serious cy young contender in the NL.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 6, 2009 -> 08:11 PM) Supposedly his price tag is $30-60 million. I'm thinking the Sox stay out of that one. Maybe they trade for him in a couple years after he struggles with the Yankees and get NY to pick up some of the rest of his contract. I don't see JR approving that kind of expenditure right now. I'll be shocked if he gets more than 20.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 6, 2009 -> 08:04 PM) Viciedo is only 20, but a .650 OPS in AA has to be dissappointing, considering many thought he would be a major leaguer this year. His 20 errors are alarming as well. I'm not panicked about him, but I think the White Sox hoped he'd be a little closer to major league ready by now considering the cash layout for him. I think he's going to be getting a position change soon. Hopefully he can be El Caballo II. I believe JPN said Viciedo has been really good defensively at 3B for the past month+ I would hold of on the position change talk right. Obviously, he has been a disappointment this year, but I'll take it. I've said it before, I think 2010 will be a really huge, break out year for him.

The thing about Q... will he be able to play LF, let alone RF with how his foot is? He might wind up being the DH next year.

One thing is for sure though, Big Jim still walks a ton and still gets on base at a great clip.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jul 6, 2009 -> 03:36 PM) Blue Jays can keep Halladay for most of these trade ideas. To put things into perspective, by the end of this season (barring injury) Halladay will have pitched around 911 innings in the last 4 years (ages 29-32). At age 25 and 26 he pitched 239 and 261 ip, and subsequently only pitched 133 and 141 innings in the next 2 seasons. So are we to believe that his body is more durable at age 32? My answer is no, and would say that the amount of mileage being put on Halladay's arm is an accident waiting to happen. Try looking at something other than IP. Look at the number of pitches he throws: 2009 - 102 pitches/game (16 starts) - Most in one game (133) - Number of times over 120 (1) 2008 - 108 pitches/game (33 starts) - Most in one game (130) - Number of times over 120 (2) 2007 - 107 pitches/game (31 starts) - Most in one game (126) - Number of times over 120 (5) 2006 - 095 pitches/game (32 starts) - Most in one game (118) - Number of times over 120 (0) 2005 - missed time with a fracture in on his lower left leg 2004 - missed time with shoulder soreness/fatigue 2003 - 100 pitches/game (36 starts) - Most in one game (122) - Number of times over 120 (2) 2002 - 103 pitches/game (34 starts) - Most in one game (126) - Number of times over 120 (1) I'll give you 04 because 36 games started is higher than average for an ace, but for reference sake, Buehrle had 35 GS last year. But he did have some arm fatigue in 05, so I'll chalk that one up to his arm not as strong as it should have been/being tired from the previous season. But 05 had nothing to do with his arm, he had a fracture in his league. And if you look at his average pitches per game, he really isn't overworked. Because you are an efficient pitcher and throw a lot of innings doesn't mean your overworked.

QUOTE (longshot7 @ Jul 6, 2009 -> 03:30 PM) Don't be a Cub fan - you have to give talent to get talent. Why would the Jays trade Halladay for an unproven starter (Richard) and a minor-league hitter (Allen)? They have to compete with the Yanks and Red Sox. If I'm Ricciardi, I want a major league starter in return that isn't some team's rookie 5th starter........ that's all I'm saying..... lol, no way you trade Danks for Halladay. No way you trade Danks period. He's part of our core. And no one is just saying Richard and Allen. Most ideas have been centered around a top prospect in Poreda, a decent prospect in Richard, a good prospect in Allen, and a few other players.

Everyone, lock up your daughters.... Huddy is pitching tonight!!!!

QUOTE (WCSox @ Jul 6, 2009 -> 03:25 PM) No GM in his right mind would pick up Linebrink's bum shoulder and salary. Not even a megalomaniac half-wit like Ricciardi. All we gotta do is send the tape of the KC game where the gun had Linebrink at 97 mph QUOTE (WCSox @ Jul 6, 2009 -> 03:25 PM) Halladay probably has another 2-3 really good years in him. But I still wouldn't trade a somebody like Danks for him. I also don't see Ricciardi moving Halladay until the Jays are completely out of it, as his job is likely resting on how they do this season. They'll probably still be semi-competitive by the deadline, so I don't see him going anywhere until this winter. Agreed about Danks, but I was just saying in regards to a contract extension. As for when they move Halladay, they probably can get more value for at least 1 and 1/2 seasons of Halladay than they can for 1 season of Halladay.

Anyone think Thome might hang it up after this year? I think it'd take him at least 2 more years to get to 600, and he's really slowing down big time. He can't hit lefties at all it seems like (except for a select few), he isn't clutch at all, his bat is slowing down, is starting to struggle to catch up to good fastballs, etc. Plus, he can only play DH and is an injury concern. I love Jim, but no way I want him back next year.

QUOTE (kwolf68 @ Jul 6, 2009 -> 02:59 PM) Why is Flowers untouchable? He's a future DH...he's definately a masher, but he's not graded to be a major league catcher at all... Cause right now it looks like he will stay behind the plate.

I think people are over blowing the age thing. Halladay isn't a velocity pitcher, he tops out at like 92 with his fastball and sits around 89-90. We don't have to worry about a loss in velocity as much as we would for lets say an Oswalt. Plus, Halladay really isn't an injury risk either. I think he will continue to be really good until he is 35 or 36, and even after his good years, I think he'll still be solid thanks to how good of a pitcher he is and how he uses all of his pitches effectively.

QUOTE (forrestg @ Jul 6, 2009 -> 02:25 PM) Ok, Allen, Poreda, Richards and Fields. We in return get Halladay and Scott Rolen. Throw in Linebrink to unload that salary.

I'm with you. My goal, get down to 265 (from 275-278) by July 31.